WILLIAMSPORT, PA. – A 27-9 second-quarter surge carried the William Paterson women's basketball team (6-5) to a 72-64 victory against Rosemont (1-8) Dec. 28 in the first round of Lycoming's Hoops for Hounds Classic.
 
Trailing 26-12 following the first period, the Pioneers knocked down 11 of 20 (.550) field goals during the second quarter while limiting the Ravens to a 3-for-16 (.188) effort. WP scored the final 10 points of the half for a 39-35 advantage at the break behind nine points apiece from sophomore guards Sihana Asani (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton) and Julie Rovito (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park).
 
William Paterson scored the first six points of the third quarter to stake itself to a double-digit lead (45-35, 6:42), and when Rosemont cut it to six at 60-54 at the end of the period, WP responded with eight unanswered points for a 68-54 edge with 6:41 remaining in the contest.
 
Rovito finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and junior forward Tori Woetzel (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) added 10 tallies, four assists and a game-best 12 boards. Senior guard Nikole Williams (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream Central) chipped in 10 points, while Asani and freshman guard Gabby Harris (South River, N.J./South River) each scored nine.
 
Freshman guard Ke'alohilani Naone-Carter led the Ravens with 16 points. Freshman guard Shirle Brown contributed 15 tallies and 10 rebounds.
 
William Paterson will face host Lycoming in the Hoops for Hounds Classic final Thursday, Dec. 29, at 2:00 p.m.
 
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